Ian Madigan likes the look of the mighty ‘Quins.
The Ireland out-half is second choice to Johnny Sexton at Leinster after the Dubliner’s return from France, and earlier this week it was reported that Aviva A-League side Bristol were interested in offering the Dubliner huge money to travel across the Irish Sea next season.
Madigan current deal with the IRFU expires at the end of this season, and he has admitted that negotiations are underway with the association about a new contract.
However, responding to the speculation that he could be about to quit the province if no new deal is reached, Madigan admits that if a foreign club is interested in him, then he would be willing to talk about a possible switch.
“At the moment, just going through the process of weighing up my options. Still waiting for Leinster and the IRFU to get back, but the way it is now, you have to look at all your options.”
“I’m doing that at the moment, waiting for my agent to come back to me on what interest is out there. Then we’ll go from there. I’ll weigh up the pros and cons of staying here, the pros and cons of going elsewhere.”
“Also the opportunities to play in the 10 position, or the 12 position and the style of play of Leinster going forward, and the style of play of other clubs that would be of interest.”
Many fans felt that Madigan would have been ideal placed to move to Munster or Ulster at the end of the current campaign to try and ensure that he will still be very much central to Joe Schmidt’s plans. However, it appears that the 26-year-old feels any potential future in England may lie with a club that has strong Irish ties,
“The appeal of a club like Harlequins is that they are a club that looks to win The Premiership every year. They’re not just there to make up the numbers or to look back on their season and go ‘oh we made top four this year, that was a successful year’.
“You’ve got an Irish coach there, Conor O’Shea, who plays a very expansive style.”
However if Bristol were hoping to lure Madigan to England then the outhalf insist that the club will have to be playing in the Premiership if he was to move
“I certainly wouldn’t be looking to play in the Championship. If you did decide to move to a club like Bristol, you’re taking a massive risk in them not getting promoted. That would definitely factor into my decision, if I was considering going there,” he says.
The IRFU will be naturally nervous of losing another top player to a franchise outside of Ireland, and Madigan is hopeful that his future, and any possible deal will be sorted by Christmas,
“Times have changed. Johnny’s come back on a long-term deal. If you find the right fit and it all adds up, it can be done quite quickly.”
“If you don’t, it can drag on. I’ll be hoping that it won’t be thrashed out through the media and will be done behind closed doors and, please God, it will be done in and around Christmas. . . maybe.”
Madigan’s honest appraisal of his situation just adds to Leo Cullen’s headaches.
The Leinster head coach is still trying to get to grips with one of the biggest jobs in Irish rugby, but has endured a rocky start to his career as the main man on the sidelines.
Disappointment in Europe has been coupled with a less than stellar showing in the Pro 12 and now he appears to have a very unhappy player in the dressing room.
